Dremel Rotary Tools

When it comes to rotary hand tools, especially those that are designed for the hobby industry as well as larger projects, you’ll have to go a long way to equal what Dremel has been doing since 1932.  Albert Dremel founded the company back then in Racine, WI and only a year later, he sold the company to Robert Bosch.  Dremel is now a division of the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation and has moved the headquarters to Mount Prospect, IL.  But the Dremel Company is still headquartered out of Racine.

The rotary tools manufactured with the Dremel label are oftentimes likened to pneumatic die grinders that are used in the metalworking industry.  The “Moto-Tool” is the specific name given to the rotary tool product line, and most of them operate by rotating a “bit” at high speeds.  There are variable speed versions that cover a range from 3,000 rpm up to 37,000 rpm, therefore making speed rather than torque the primary method for getting the job done.

There are a variety of bits or “burrs” as they are referred to, for accomplishing a variety of job functions.  With a different bit or burr you can perform any of the following functions or jobs:

• carving
• cleaning
• cutting
• drilling
• engraving
• grinding
• polishing
• routing
• sanding
• sharpening

The rotary tool line of products is available in both battery and corded electrical options.  Additionally, there is a miniature planer attachment as well as a saber saw attachment that acts similar to a reciprocating saw.  Three unique cordless tools that are also on the market are a golf-cleaning tool, a pet grooming tool, and a pumpkin carving tool.  In addition to these, Dremel now makes contoured sanders, hot glue guns, power screwdrivers, and scroll saws.  So over the years, the product line has expanded in leaps and bounds, to say the least.

In an example of generic labeling, some of the rotary tools sold at Sears under the well-known Craftsman label are oftentimes referred to as “dremels” in that the brand name has been coined to refer to that type of tool regardless of who manufactures it.  Interestingly enough, some of the Craftsman rotary tools are actually manufactured by the Dremel Company and are usually identified with product numbers beginning with “572.”

Dremel now manufactures and distributes their product line on a worldwide basis and as of the time that this review was written, there were more than 17 million Dremel tools currently in use.  To no surprise, that number continues growing daily, seeing as how they are the industry leader where rotary tools are concerned.  Suffice it to say, not only is Dremel the industry leader, but they are the model that the entire rotary tool industry is patterned after.

Despite the fact that the rotary tool line began by targeting the craft and hobby market, they now manufacture more than 150 bits and accessories.  Additionally, Dremel rotary tools have become some of the most versatile tools that anyone can use.